Hysteria

(Prologue) Promise

"No."

That was always his answer.

She would laugh it off. "You don't really mean that!"

"Yes I do." Aizawa craned his neck to the side and cracked it, hiding his slightly-redden cheeks from some of people walking by in the hall. He clutched the strap of his bag.

Fukukado Emi laughed again, patting him on the shoulder. "You're so funny, Shota!"

"Don't call me that."

Ever since the first of term began, this girl would not leave him alone. Whether it'd be in between class breaks, lunch, or walking home, the crazy, laughter-obsessed, first year would always find him.

He wouldn't lie and say he didn't legitimately mind her as a person, but her constantly being annoying was off-putting. Sure, it'd be a fun story to tell Hizashi later, and it took his mind off of Oboro... Aizawa shook his head.

You've gotten over that, he told himself. You've gotten over Oboro...

He sighed, "Please leave me alone."

He made himself into a sour mood. Hizashi would say that's nothing new, but Aizawa was actually trying to put in some effort to not be depressing for once.

A few students walked past, covering their mouths with their hands, whispering, keeping their eyes on Aizawa and Fukakado.

Aizawa's patience was starting to wear thin. He couldn't bare on what new rumor was circulating now. It would be the fifth one this month alone. This whole thing was stupid - couldn't he just get a little bit of peace? Or was Fukakado some kind of chaos-demon that the teachers failed to teach him about?

Quickly, he walked down the U.A corridor. He wasn't sure of where he was going, but anywhere away from her was better than anywhere else with her there. Or anyone else.

Fukakado, not realizing his sudden change in attitude, followed him closely behind. "I mean, think of it!" She said with a big ol' grin plastered across her face. "You standing at the alter, me walking down the aisle, then maybe a couple kids, I'm thinking three- umph!"

Aizawa stopped abruptly, making Fukakado ran into him. He turned around, locking eyes.

Though Fukakado's obsession with the cold third year easily blinded her of his annoyance or cold-shoulder, she could definitely tell that by the way his eyes look at her that he was conflicted. She stared back at him with anticipation.

His cheeks were red - she couldn't tell if it was from anger, or her consistent teasing.

His chest was puffed and his grip on his bag was tight.

Was he finally going to tell her off?

"Y'know what, Emi? Let's a make a deal." Aizawa said in a low, slow voice. "If we're both single by the time you're 30, then let's get married."

Fukakado blinked dumbly at Aizawa. Her brain couldn't comprehend Japanese anymore.

"Wait, for real?"

"Yes, for real." Anything to get you off my back, he wanted to add.

She stood there for a moment. And then, out of the blue, turned around, and skittered off somewhere. With a heavy sigh, and mildly unsurprised, Aizawa turned around the opposite direction and walked down the corridor, enjoying the silence.

Man, what a weird girl.

It wasn't until he was out on the front pavement when he heard her voice call out again. He stopped to watch her run towards her.

"I-" She said through heavy breathing, hands on her knees. "I- wowza that really took a lot out of me-" She took a deep breath and smiled. Her face was warm and blushing like crazy, her body jittery with the happy-kind of nerves. "I accept your offer! But I'd like to offer something in return!"

Aizawa kept himself from rolling his eyes to the back of his head. "Yeah, sure, what is it, Fukakado?"

"I know you don't like me much," Her voice was serious, and for the first time ever since this year had started, there wasn't a hint of hysteria on her face. Pure seriousness. It was weird. Creepy. And for the first time in the last three months, she was right. He didn't like it. "So, the year before we marry, I want a chance in order to win you over."

Oh brother. "Yeah, okay. Fine with me." Aizawa shrugged, eyeing the bushes in the opposite direction from her.

Fukakado clasped her hands together in delight. "Oohhh goodie! This'll be so much fun!"

"That's one way to put it."

She ignored his comment. "Whenever we see each other, I'll ask you to marry me. If you say yes, then obviously we'll get married, 'kay? And if you say no, then I try again to win you over."

Aizawa frowned deeply. What a pain. "Sounds good."

Fukakado observed Aizawa with a small smile on her face. "You're going to regret this."

"I know."

"Yknow," She put a finger to her chin. "One day I'll want babies."

"Too bad I'm neutered." Aizawa replied dryly. "Now go find someone else to obsess over."

He knew his slight attempt at getting rid of her would prove fruitless.

Fukakado bursted out laughing. "You crack me up, Shota!"

"Don't call me that."

Call it.